Missy, alcoholism isn't a disease...that term was invented to take away the judgemental stigma, sounds less harsh than drunkard, alkie, wino, dipsomaniac, etc.
Alcoholism means your body is overwhelmed by ethanol (ethyl alcohol) once and for all, has physically adapted to alcohol on a cellular, systemic level, and we pass the point of no return -- we cannot safely drink.
And, yes, continuing to drink will likely kill you at some point (organ failure usually). That's what happens.
But it doesn't HAVE to happen.
(Now you have my two cents for what it's worth!)